Traditional feast focuses on future

January 17, 2012|By David Laurell

Arpi Kestenian and Mayor Jess Talamantes, center, with…

Tomorrow marks the passing of 25 days since the 25th of December. During that time we have seen the trees recycled, the ornaments and decorations stashed away for another year, and, in the aftermath of all those holiday feasts, the diets started. That said, for some it may seem strange to be reading about a recent Christmas party; although it makes perfect sense for those of the Armenian community who celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6. — the traditional date of the Christian celebration of Christ’s birth that was changed by the Romans in the fourth century.

Maintaining their long-standing tradition, the Armenian National Committee of Burbank (ANC) once again opened the doors of their downtown offices for their annual Christmas dinner celebration on Jan. 9. Welcomed by the organization’s chairwoman, Silva Kechichian and members of her newly formed board — Annette Kargodorian, Houri Tavitian, Maral Yessayan and Joseph Hovanessian — guests enjoyed a traditional Armenian feast and were updated on the work of the local ANC chapter that was established in Burbank in 1990.

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Among the notables in attendance were Mayor Jess Talamantes, Vice Mayor Dave Golonski and Council Members Gary Bric, David Gordon and Emily Gabel-Luddy, City Clerk Margarita Campos, City Manager Mike Flad, Assistant City Manager Joy Forbes, school board members Larry Applebaum, Dave Kemp, Roberta Reynolds, Ted Bunch and Debbie Kukta, Police Commissioner Hagop Hergelian, Parks Commissioner Garen Yegparian and Armond Aghakhanian who has served as ANC Burbank’s electoral and political committee chairman.

This past year has been an eventful and prosperous one for the Burbank ANC. After staging a successful career and college fair, the organization’s leadership met to discuss the future structure of the organization. Under the guidance of Kechichian, a board was established along with a prioritized focus, a list of objectives and a survey of members who, among other goals, elected to build upon the local Armenian community’s civic involvement and relations, heighten their presence in local educational, political and governmental issues, and strengthen their internal operations.

The highlight of last week’s Christmas celebration was the awarding of $2,500 in scholarships to four students — Eliza Donikyan, Verginie Touloumian, Grigor Khachikyan and Robert Asaturyan — that were presented in partnership with Glendale Memorial Hospital by the facility’s Director of Physician and Managed Care Engagement Arpi Kestenian.

The Armenian National Committee of Burbank advances the social, economic, cultural and political rights of the area's Armenian-American community and promotes increased Armenian-American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.